Pardew Lines Up Behind Papiss Cisse

Alan Pardew; “I think Papiss is just a victim of the injuries, without Ben Arfa and Cabaye we’ve lacked a bit of flair and quality...He hasn’t had a lot of moments in the matches but his workrate and his commitment to the cause can’t be faulted".

Speaking in advance of the Manchester United match, Alan Pardew has gone to some lengths to back up his currently misfiring striker, Papiss Cisse;

“I think Papiss is just a victim of the injuries, without Ben Arfa and Cabaye we’ve lacked a bit of flair and quality in the final third and of course if you’ve got that it creates moments for Papiss to finish.

He hasn’t had a lot of moments in the matches but his workrate and his commitment to the cause can’t be faulted, we continue to work with him and hopefully he’ll get the goals soon”.

Obviously with all the speculation regarding Demba Ba there will be many fans who will look at the manager’s words as another indication that Ba’s futrue could be elsewhere, while at the same time Alan Pardew looking to reinforce his relationship with Cisse following his substitution in the crucial QPR match.

Of course Cisse made his disappointment at being replaced in a very public manner but at no time disrespected Alan Pardew, indeed following the match he was at pains to say that he respected the manager’s decision and all that was important was a win for the team.

It will be interesting though to see how Newcastle line up for a very difficult game at Old Trafford and no doubt many of you will be second guessing what could happen in January based on what combination of Ba, Cisse and Shola are used.